The preliminary hearing for a Vacaville couple facing drug and weapons charges was postponed until next month, a judge ruled Friday.

This is the third continuance for the case involving Sarah Killough, 35, a former dispatcher for the California Highway Patrol and her husband, 42-year-old Dennis Killough.

According to court documents, Dennis is charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, sale of an assault weapon, being armed with a firearm during a controlled substance offense and transportation of methamphetamine for sale, while Sarah faces charges of possession of methamphetamine for sale and bribery.

Deputy Assistant Attorney Michael Vroman, who objected to previous postponements, filed a motion to continue, stating that after multiple discussions with both attorneys that they were close to reaching an agreement.

"We have made substantial progress toward a resolution in this case," he said. Vroman wanted more time to finalize individual plea agreements for Sarah and Dennis and moved to have the hearing continued for two weeks.

Yolo County Superior Court Judge Samuel McAdam said that he "would like to get this case done today," but due to scheduling conflicts among Vroman and the two lawyers, he granted the continuance and scheduled a prehearing conference for 1:30 p.m. on April 10 in Department 8.

Sarah was present and out of custody Friday morning having been released on bail. She stood beside Public Defender Lisa Lance, who requested a bail modification.

Sarah was released on bail with the understanding that she would be prohibited from talking to anyone affiliated with the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, of which her husband is a member. With the deadline to file taxes approaching, Lance filed a motion to modify Sarah's bail agreement to allow contact with Dennis to discuss their taxes as well as their son, Daniel.

Dennis was present and in custody, joined by Jeff Raven from the conflicts panel who was appointed to the case as counsel for Dennis after a conflict of interest was found with attorney Beth Anderson on Dec. 30.

Raven agreed with the modification, stating that "they ought to be able to have communications, they are husband and wife." While Vroman objected, noting that Lance's wording in the motion was vague and could include discussions beyond family matters if not amended.

Vroman clarified that he agreed that Sarah should be able to speak with her husband, but only about personal matters and not about the case.

McAdam granted the modification to Sarah's bail agreement under the condition that they would not discuss the Hells Angels or litigation when they meet.

The couple was arrested on Dec. 13 in connection to a monthslong state investigation alleging a number of crimes ranging from selling an assault weapon, and transportation of methamphetamine to bribery.